CULTURAL DIVERSITY
 

Western Australia is a multicultural society.  People born in more than 200 countries live, work and study in Western Australia, and 27% of Western Australia' s population was born overseas.

Many migrants continue their cultural, linguistic and religious traditions here, forming community groups, establishing places of worship, and providing support to people with similar origins. 

This section helps you find Chinese-speaking people, perhaps with a background similar to yours, including migrants who can help and advise you on settling in Western Australia .

Source:             The Western Australian Office of Multicultural Interests website www.omi.wa.gov.au

ABS data used with permission from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Basic Community Profile 2001 Census for Population and Housing, and Australian Demographic Statistics Cat. No. 3101.0, website www.abs.gov.au

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS

Members of business associations are familiar with business and trade links.  They can help you establish useful business relationships.

For a list of Business Association in English, go to the SBDC Business Migration website on the Business Associations web page.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Meeting migrants with whom you identify can help you and your family continue to enjoy your cultural identity.

Community groups often provide personal support.  They are interested in hearing from migrants, and may provide help before or after you arrive in Western Australia .

For a list of Chinese-oriented community organisations in English, go to the SBDC Business Migration website on the Cultural Organisations web page. 

Migrant support and family support organisations can be a vital source of information and help.  You can contact them to find out what services each one provides.

MIGRANT SUPPORT

For a list of Business Association in English, go to the SBDC Business Migration website on the Migrant Support web page.

Family and Ethnic Welfare

For a list of Business Association in English, go to the SBDC Business Migration website on the Family Welfare and Community Help web page.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Finding people of your own religious group can provide moral support, a warm welcome and can help you become more easily settled.

Finding the locations of places of worship may help you decide where to live.

Locating places of Worship

There is a list of contact telephone numbers for the most common religious groups at PerthWeb's Religion information page.  When telephoning from outside Australia , dial the +61 8 international prefix instead of the 08 local prefix.

There are a number of churches run by and for the Chinese community.  For a list of these in English, go to the SBDC Business Migration website on the Locating Places of Worship web page.

SCHOOLS   

At Education in Australia you can see information for migrants on education in Western Australia .  By starting at the Department of Immigration: Home page you can select translations of the website to Traditional Chinese or Simplified Chinese.  Then look for 'Education' under the 'Settling in Australia' section.

There are many primary and high schools in Western Australia focused on specific cultures or faiths.  You can search for an appropriate school for children in specific age groups, in English, on the Australian Schools Directory website.

Studying English while resident outside Australia

Colleges that run courses for visiting students to teach them to study in English so they can attend Australian schools and universities are listed at Learning to Study in English. Generally daily education is provided at various school and pre‑University levels.

LANGUAGE

See Western Australian Education Department: English as a Second Language for information on teaching English to school-age children of migrants.

For courses and locations of English classes, including conversational English community classes, for migrants contact:

Training Info Centre

469-489 Wellington Street
Perth 6000
Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 9325 9322
Fax: +61 8 9321 1422
Email: information@training.wa.gov.au  

For non-English-speaking migrants needing English language skills see the Department of Immigration: Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP) web page.  For eligibility information go to Department of Immigration: AMEP Eligibility.

For information on college and university courses in English Language at various study levels, contact the Western Australian Department of Training, with information on your visa type and eligibility, by email to information@training.wa.gov.au.  As visa and residency status can affect eligibility for these courses, you will first need to check your eligibility by contacting:

The Australian Department of Immigration

Locked Bag 7
Northbridge 6865
Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 131 881
Fax: +61 8 9415 9286

Telephone interpreter services